Extreme Cold Era: Shelter Don't Keep Waste
Chapter 153: Outbreak of War

Chapter 153: Chapter 153: Outbreak of War

"Count, the Royal Medical Society has sent you an invitation, inviting you to attend this year’s medical conference and planning to award you a special contribution medal." Lieutenant Mikhail reported to Perfikot, as the old butler was absent and Beifa had been sent by Perfikot to handle hospital matters, temporarily acting as Perfikot’s attendant.

Upon hearing this news, Perfikot was not surprised; she merely shook her head slightly and said, "Decline it for me, I don’t have the time to go back and handle these matters! The situation in the Northern Territory right now doesn’t allow me to leave."

Lieutenant Mikhail nodded slightly, noted Perfikot’s response, and set aside the invitation bearing the insignia of the Royal Medical Society, picking up another invitation. "In addition to the Royal Medical Society, the Royal Alchemist Association and the Royal Engineering Association have also sent you invitations, asking you to attend their annual meetings. They also mentioned plans to award you medals for your achievements last year in the fields of alchemy and engineering.

Moreover, several universities such as the Royal Langton University, Imperial University, Best Royal Academy, and Saint Stamm University have sent invitations, inviting you to give speeches at these institutions and expressing willingness to appoint you as an Honorary Professor..."

"Decline them all; I don’t have time to play these games with them!" A year ago, these invitations would have made Perfikot very happy; two years ago, she would have been overjoyed; three years ago, she would have jumped with excitement, but now she only felt annoyance.

As they say, when you are famous or wealthy, people around you act like good friends; when Perfikot was merely an unknown successor to a Baron’s legacy and a solitary orphan, no one really cared about her accomplishments.

Even if she became the youngest Royal Chartered Alchemist and Engineer in Langton’s history, people would only think it was due to her parents’ influence.

She wanted to prove herself by becoming a professor at Royal Langton University, but all she encountered was gender discrimination.

But when Perfikot became the Northern Guardian, Count of Exploration in the Empire, wielding military and political power and even creating astonishing inventions like the Flying Airship and Steam Knight, everyone’s attitude toward her shifted a full 180°.

The Royal Society and various universities in Langton, which originally showed disinterest, were now eager to ingratiate themselves with her, with once-coveted teaching positions laid before her for selection.

It was all so magical, yet so real.

However, Perfikot lost interest in this; her only concern was how to resolve the myriad issues facing the Northern Territory.

Solving the medical system problem was merely a minor task; what she needed now was to return to the Northern Territory, back to her laboratory, to transform the ideas conceived during this period of spare time into more advanced designs, to refine and actualize them.

As for so-called honors, medals, and titles, they couldn’t significantly aid her work, so why would she waste her precious time?

Lieutenant Mikhail clearly wasn’t quite used to Perfikot’s attitude. In his view, with Perfikot receiving so many invitations, she should make a trip back to Langton to accept the medals and honors awarded by the Royal Society.

For ordinary people, these are what they dream of all their lives; even if Perfikot didn’t care about them, the Royal Society’s medals were recognition of her achievements. Why wouldn’t she accept them?

Though Lieutenant Mikhail didn’t understand, he adhered to a soldier’s professional conduct, not expressing his doubts. He simply recorded Perfikot’s orders seriously, preparing to execute them.

"Hmm, too direct a refusal wouldn’t be good," Perfikot added, seemingly still concerned. "Later, go to the Governor’s Mansion and borrow his secretary. Use a more gentle tone to explain that due to the Northern Territory’s winter snow, traffic is inconvenient, and with many affairs entangled in the territory, I can’t leave the Northern Territory at present."

"Yes, Count." Lieutenant Mikhail stood at attention, signaling he understood.

Perfikot nodded, waved her hand to indicate he should proceed with tasks, while she kept her focus on the document she was composing.

This was an idea Perfikot had recently been pondering, already taking form, which she was recording to refine further upon her return to the Northern Territory in her laboratory.

However, just as Lieutenant Mikhail was about to leave, there came a sudden knocking from outside, and the Governor’s secretary burst into the room temporarily being used by Perfikot as an office, shouting urgently, "Count! Langton has urgent news! France has declared war on the Empire, summons you immediately back to Langton!"

"What did you say?" Perfikot rose from her chair in shock.

Even Lieutenant Mikhail beside her was stunned, taking a moment to react; clearly, France declaring war on the Empire was beyond his imagination.

"It’s the latest news just received. France, claiming that the Empire is developing weapons threatening world safety, has united with Ruth and Saint Romulus to declare war on the Empire. They announced this is to ’eliminate threats to world peace.’ The Empire is now in a state of emergency war readiness, and Langton has sent a telegram summoning you immediately back to the country; both the military and Royal Family express the need for your wisdom and assistance," the Governor’s secretary quickly explained, handing the telegram to Perfikot.

Taking the telegram, Perfikot quickly scanned it, only to feel her brain buzzing.

"At this moment! At this moment! How dare they! How dare they declare war on the Empire at such a moment! How could they declare war on the Empire at such a moment!" Perfikot felt an overwhelming sense of defeat, all her efforts seemingly rendered meaningless at this moment.

The end of the world loomed close, yet humanity chose at this critical juncture a comprehensive warfare affecting all nations of the old world!

Humanity had entered the industrial era, and the liberated productivity brought about by it was manifold times the whole-time army and more advanced weapons than in the feudal era, and this would result in a comprehensive warfare far beyond any wars in the feudal era!

Both mobilization capabilities and potential for warfare far exceed those of the feudal era. Participating countries will apply everything they’ve accumulated since entering the industrial era to this war, which cannot possibly be concluded in a short time or on a small scale.

Even if it drags on for just a year, the Empire’s plans to counter the apocalypse will be severely affected, possibly causing the entire plan to fail!